Femme à l'oiseau (Woman with Bird)
Painting on canvas • Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973)
Style & Movement
Cubism / Surrealism (Late Cubist / Wartime period)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas with visible linear underdrawing and flat planes of color combined with gestural brushwork
Creation Period
circa 1939-1944
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 130 x 81 cm (51 x 32 in); Portrait format
Subject Description
A highly stylized, biomorphic representation of a seated woman interacting with a bird. The composition uses fractured perspective to show multiple viewpoints of the face simultaneously, featuring sharp, claw-like elements and heavy outlines. The bird appears integrated into the figure's form, common in Picasso's wartime works where the subject often reflects tension and domestic claustrophobia.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the surface appears stable with consistent pigment saturation, though minor surface dust and frame-edge rubbing may be present.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000 USD (based on comparable sales of late-1930s/early-1940s figurative works)
Auction Estimate
$12,000,000 - $18,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a major European or American collection; Picasso's works of this period were heavily documented by Galerie Louise Leiris and subsequently major international galleries like Pace or Gagosian.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Picasso's wartime production. These works often utilized distorted female figures to express the psychological strain and brutality of the Spanish Civil War and WWII. The bird motif serves as a complex symbol of both peace and predator.
Notable Features
Bold use of primary colors (yellow, blue) against somber greys and blacks; distinctive 'doubled' eye motif and serrated decorative patterns on the head and wings.
Condition Issues
Possible minor craquelure in the heavier white impasto areas; slight yellowing of varnish if present; potential surface scuffs consistent with age.
Conservation Recommendations
Display in a climate-controlled environment (50% RH, 21°C) with UV-filtered lighting (below 150 lux). Periodic inspection for stretcher tension and surface oxidation is recommended.